Oil well pumping apparatus



March 1932- H. F. WATKINS OIL WELL PUMPING APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet rl I I INVENTOR /faro/d F. Warh'rvs A TTOR NE VS Nancie 0e 'ooao coon ooooooooe March 22, 1932. H F, w Ns 1,850,431

OIL WELL PUMPING APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fiar 'o/d wafk/hs A TTORNEYS March 22, 1932. H, w ms 1,850,431

OIL WELL PUMPING APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIE FIE E '7 I E ,3/ 6 @f PIE lllll A TTORNEYS Illl Patented Mar. 22, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAROLD WATKINS, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO WATKINS INTERMIT- TING PUMP 00., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA OIL WELL PUMPING APPARATUS Application filed May 16,

This invention relates generally to the construction of apparatus for effecting pumping of oil wells, and to methods of utllizlng such apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to devise an efiicient form of pumping apparatus utilizing intermittent introduction of compressed gas to form pneumatic lifting pistons.

It is a further object of this invention to devise a pneumatic oil pumping apparatus which is constructed in such a manner and operated in such a manner as to avoid formation of oil emulsion. I

It is a further object of this invention to devise a novel form of actuating mechanism for cyclically operating a pumping apparatus.

It is a further object of this invention to devise a pneumatic pumping apparatus which is rugged in construction, eflicient and reliable in operation, and which may be readily installed or removed from an oil well.

Further objects of this invention will appear from the following description in which I have set forth the preferred embodiment of my invention. It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of the prior art.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the parts of my apparatus assembled together for the pumping of. an oil well.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the hydraulic actuating mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the actuating mechanism shown in Fig. 2, and illustrates the construction of the hydraulic control valve and its linkage mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along 5 the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. V

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 4, showing-the movable member of the control valve in adifierent operating position.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view in cross 1928. Serial No. 278,090.

section, illustrating the valve mechanism located within the oil well.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but illustrating the valve mechanism in a difierent operating position.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along theline 99 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 1010 of Fig. 8'.

It has previously been attempted to eifect pumping of oil by the introduction of intermittent charges of gas within the well, the gas forming pneumatic lifting pistons. Insofar as I am aware these prior pumping systems have not gone into wide use for the pumping of oil wells due to certain inherent defects. One of the most outstanding defects is that the oil is violently agitated to form an emulsion. The emulsion may be of such a character as to render the apparatus inoperable, and in any event detracts materially from the efliciency of the apparatus and makes necessary expensive treatment of the oil to efiect separation of the oil from the water. Other disadvantages have been that the apparatus was not constructed so as to operate reliably under all conditions, and were readily rendered inoperable by the accumulation of solids or sediment. With the apparatus herein disclosed which constitutes my invention, it is possible to efi'ect eflicient pumping of oil from a well containing an appreciable amount of water, with practically no emulsification of the oil. My apparatus is not subject to excessive wear, is reliable in operation, may be readily adapted to difi'erent wells or different pumping conditions, and is comparatively simple in construction.

Referring to the drawings for a complete description of my apparatus and the preferred method of employing the same for the pumping of oil' wells, in Fig. 1 I have shown the apparatus installed in a representative oil well 10. Extended within the well a substantial distance below the normal oil level, are pipe strings 11 and 12 which are preferably positioned concentric. Associated with the lower portions of these pi es and within the well, there is a valve mec a- 100 nism indicated generally at 13. I prefer to positively operate the valve mechanism 13 from the surface of the well, and for this purpose I have shown an actuating mechanism indicated generally at 14. One of the pipe strings 11 and 12, for example the pipe string 12 is connected to a source of gas under pressure at the surface of the well, as for example thru the gas inlet pipe 16, while the other pipe 11 is connected at the surface of the well with an oil discharge pipe 17. In positively operating the .valve mechanism 13, I prefer to bodily reciprocate the pipe 12 in a manner to be presently described.

The valve mechanism 13 and its association with pipes 11 and 12 is shown more clearly in Figs. 7' and 8. The mechanism 13 preferably consists of two valves, one of which I have hereafter termed the gas control valve, which controls admission of gases from the pipe 12 and the other of which I have hereafter termed the oil control valve, which controls flowof oil from the well to pipe 11. It is apparent that a variety of different valve constructions may be employed, but for simplicity and reliability I prefer to make the oil control valve of the sleeve type, and the gas control valve of the ball type. These valves are related in such a way as to be alternately opened and closed, that is the oil control valve is closed while the gas control valve is open, and the gas control valve is kept closed while the oil control valve is open.

The oil control valve, which I have indicated generally at 21, preferably consists of a metal barrel 23 secured to the lower end of pipe 11. I prefer to construct the barrel 23 with an outer pipe casing 24 and an inner liner 26 of hard wear resisting metal, the casing 24 and liner 26 being secured together 4 at their end by the upper and lower couplers 27 and 28. Within the barrel 23 there is a sleeve 29 having a snug leak-proof fit with the liner 26. Sleeve 29 is also preferably constructed of hard wear resisting metal. An annular portion of the sleeve 29 is ported as by means of a series of apertures 31, and barrel 23 is likewise provided with cooperatin apertures (2 ports 32. lVhen sleeve 29 is 1i ted until apertures 31 register with apertures 32, then the interior of the barrel 23 is in communication with the well, and when sleeve 29 is dropped down until apertures 31 are out of registry with apertures 32, then flow of oil from the well is arrested and no as or other fluid within the barrel can leak into the well.

The gas control valve has been indicated generally at 34 and preferably consists of a ball 36 cooperating with a suitable seat 37. Seat 37 is carried by a valve pipe section 38 which in turn connects with the lower end of the pipe 12. The two valves 34 and 21 are preferably operated in unison, and for this purpose pipe section 38 is shown as having a screw threaded engagement with the valve sleeve 29, thru the spider 39. Secured to the lower end of barrel 23 and havinga tight leak-proof fit with coupling 28, there is a closure cap 41 carrying an upwardly projecting rod 42. When pipe 12 is lowered a suflicient distance, rod 42 engages the ball 36 and unseats the same, thus permitting discharge of gas from pipe 12 into the lower portion of barrel 23 and to the pipe 11. Rod 42 is preferably adjustable and for this purpose is provided with a screw threaded engagement 43 with the cap 41, the rod bein locked-in any one position by means of 100 nut 44. The closure cap 41 preferably presents an abutment shoulder 46, which can engage with a shoulder 47 formed upon the lower end of sleeve 29. Engagement of shoulder 46 with abutment 47 prevents pipe 12 from being lowered to such an extent as to cause rod 42 to injure valve 34.

The actuating mechanism 14 is preferably constructed to impart cyclic reciprocating movements to the pipe string 12(and may be of any suitable construction which will provide proper control of the timing of the valve mechanism 13. I prefer to employ a hydraulic actuating mechanism such as shown, as such mechanism makes possible the various controls which I prefer to employ, without resorting to complicated structures. Furthermore the hydraulic mechanism which I employ has comparatively few worlring parts and will give long operating service. The construction of the particular actuating mechanism which I have shown is believed to be novel and consists of a hydraulic cylinder 49 within which is operatively disposed a piston 51. Secured to piston 51 there is a piston rod 52, which projects thru the closed head 53 of cylinder 49. Cylinder 49 is suitably anchored as by means of foundation 54, and the projecting end of piston rod 52 is suitably connected to the pipe string 12, as by means of cable 56. In order to properly apply a vertical pull to the pipe string 12, cable 56 is shown as entrained over a pulley 57, this pulley being mounted upon a suitable structure such as a walking beam 58. Be-

cause of the weight of the pipe string 12, piston 51 is normally urged toward the cylinder head 53.

Any suitable source of liquid under pressure may be employed for introducing liquid into cylinder 49 although for this purpose I prefer to employ a small hydraulic pump 59, as for example an ordinary gear pump which can be driven from a small electric motor 61. Introduction and exhaust of liquid from cylinder 49 is controlled by means of a hydraulic control valve 62 which is automatically actuated by a linkage mechanism to be presently described. Pump 59 is shown as connected with valve 62 by pipe 63 while pipe 64 has been shown for conveying away liquid exhausted from the cylinder. Pipe 64 mayexhaust into a surge tank 66, with which the intake of pump 59 communicates thru pipe 67.

Valve 62 is automatically controlled so that when in one position liquid under pressure is introduced into the upper portion of cylinder 49 to force piston 51 downwardly, while the other position of valve 62, introduction of liquid from pump 59 is interrupted and liquid from the upper portion of the cylinder is exhausted thru pipe 64, thus permitting the piston to return. The arrangement of pipes leading to valve 62 and the details of its actuating linkage mechanism are shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. The body 71 of the valve is suitably mounted upon the cylinder head 53, by means of a bracket 72. As previously explained the source of pressure, represented by the pump 59, is connected to the valve body 71 thru pipe 63. Likewise the valve body is connected to the discharge or exhaust pipes 64. Communication with the interior of the cylinder is established thru a pipe connection 73. This pipe connection also communicates with two bypass pipes 74 and 75, both of which make connection with the valve body 71. Both pipes 74 and 75 are preferably provided with hand control valves'77 and 78 respectively.

Referring now to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, valve body 71 is preferably provided with an inner bore 7 9 within which is, operatively disposed a valve member 81. Operating rod 82 connects with valve member 81 and projects thru body 71, this rod serving as a means for actuating the control valve. In order to more eflectively balance the pressure areas upon valve member 81, the end opposite from the end from which rod 82 projects, may be pro vided with a rod 83 which projects thru valve body 71. Valve body 71 is ported to provide communication between bore 79 and the various pipes connecting with the control valve. These ports have been designated 163, 175, 164 and 174, corresponding to pipes 63, 7 5, 64 and 74 respectively. Valve member 81 is preferably provided with one. or more ports 86 extending through the same for a purpose to belater described.

When the valve member 81 is in one operating position such as that shown in Fig. 4, it is apparent that ports 163 and 174 are in communication, so that liquid introduced through pipe 63 flows through pipe 74, and thence to the cylinder through the cylinder head 53. In this position of the valve both ports 163 and 174 are out of communication with ports 175 and 164, and communication is interrupted between ports 175 and 164. In the other operating position of valve member 81 shown in Fig. 6, communication between ports 163 and 174 is interrupted while communication is established between ports from the pump 59, as I prefer to operate this 1 pump continuously. By adjusting the set-- ting of valve 77, it is apparent that the rate.

of introduction of liquid into the cylinder can be adjusted or throttled, while by adjustin thesetting of valve 78, the 'rate with whic liquid is exhausted from the cylinder can be varied. Therefore by means of valve 77 I am enabled to adjust the rate of downward movement of piston 51, while by adjusting valve 77 I can vary the rate of upward movement of the piston 51.

The linkage mechanism for operating valve 62 automatically is shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 3 and is indicated generally at 87. The specific mechanism shown consists of an L-crank 88 having one arm 89 bifurcated to receive a rod 91. Rod 91 is adjustably carried by an arm 92, this arm being mounted upon the piston rod 52. A pair of collars 93 and 94, or other engagement members, are adjustably secured to rod 91. When rod 91 and piston 52 approach the lower end of their stroke, collar 93 engages crank 88 to move the same in a clockwise direction, and when rod 91 is near the upper end of its stroke, collar 94 engages crank 88 to rotate the same in a counter-clockwise direction. The other arm 96 of L-crank 88, is provided with a pin 97 engaging in a slot 98, this slot being provided in a link 99. Link 99 is connected to links 101 by means of pin 102, and links 101 in turn are pivotally connected to the projecting end of rod 82. Movement of pin 102 is confined to the arc of a circle by means of links 103. In order .to complete a toggle linkage for effecting switch movements of rod 82, other links 104 are provided which have corresponding ends connected to pin 97 and other ends pivotally connected to link 105, this latter link being pivotally connected to a fixed support as by means of pin 106. The pin 107 pivotally connecting links 104 and 105, is preferably normally urged toward the pivotal shaft 108 of L-crank 88, and for this purpose I have shown tensioned springs 109. Springs 109' are of suflicient strength to collapse the toggle formed by links 96 and 104 and thus cause movement of rod 82 to one of its operating positions. For example when rod' 91 is moved downwardly and collar 93 engages arm 89, movement of this arm to a position sufiicient to bring the toggle formed by links 96 and 104 past dead center position, results in rapid continuous movement of links 96 and 104 under the urge of springs 109, thus causing quick movement of rod 82 to its other operating position. While links 96 and 104 are bemg'moved to their dead center position, rod 82 remains in one operating position, due to the lost motion provided by slot 98. Similarly when rod 91 is moved upwardly, collar 94 engages arm 89 and causes links 96 and 104 to be carried by their dead center position in the opposite direction. By adjusting the positioning of collars 93 and 94, the point alon the path of travel of piston 51 at whic valve 62 is to be operated may be determined. Thus the position of collars 93 and 94 determines the distance or extent of travel of the piston 51.

In installing my apparatus the pipe strings 11 and 12 with the assembled valve mechanism 13 are lowered into the well to be pumped, and valve mechanism 13 is positioned a substantial distance belowthe normal oil level of the well. Hydraulic actuating mechanism 14 is then set up upon any suitable support or foundation and is operatively connected with the upper end of pipe 12. When pipe 12 is properly adjusted with respect to pipe 11 and is being cyclically reciprocated by the hydraulic mechanism 14, valves 21 and 34 within the well are alternately opened and closed. When pipe 12 approaches the upper portion of its stroke ports 31 and 32 are brought into cooperating relationship to open valve 21 and thus permit inflow of oil from the well into the barrel 23. Movement of pipe 12 is made sufficiently slow that valve 21 is held open for an appreciable period to permit oil to flow upwardly within barrel 23 and into pipe 11, to form a substantial column of oil above the valve 34. When pipe 12 moves downwardly, flow of oil from the well is first cut ofi by the sleeve 29 and then for a substantial period both valves 21 and 34 are closed, due to the positioning of rod 42 with respect to valve 34. As pipe 12 approaches the lower portion of its stroke, ball 36 is engaged and unseated by rod 42 to permit gas under high pressure within pipe 12 to be discharged within the barrel 23. The gas being introduced into the barrel is under sufficient pressure and suflicient quantity is introduced to form a substantial pneumatic piston which expands upwardly and lifts the column of oil above it. Valve 34 is kept open a substantial time period, the extent of which depends upon the depth of the well, the natural flow rate of the well and other operating conditions. lVhen pipe 12 is again moved upwardly, valve 34 is first closed and then for another substantial time period both valves 34 and 21 are kept closed. This time period permits continued upward expansion of the pneumatic piston before again establishing communication between the interior of the barrel and the well. When pipe 12 approachesthe upper limit of its travel, valve 21 is opened to permit inflow of oil as has been previously described.

By means of this mechanism both valves 34 and 21 are positively opened and closed so that all leakage of gas into the barrel 23 durin g the interval when oil is being introduced into the barrel from the well, is prevented. Such leakage is detrimental as it causes the formation of oil emulsion, as has been previously explained. By adjusting the positioning of collars 93 and 94 upon the hydraulic actuating mechanism, the extent of travel of the pipe 12 can be adjusted for optimum operation. By adjusting the extent of stroke of pipe 12, it is possible to shorten or lengthen the time period during which the gas valve 34 is kept in open condition or to adjust the time period during which the oil control valve 21 is kept open. By controlling valves 77 and 7 8 the rate of movement of the pipe 12 may be spoeded up or slowed down as desired. Furthermore by controlling one of these valves independently of the other, the rate of movement of pipe 12 in one direction may be controlled independently of rate of movement in the opposite direction. Therefore by control of'my actuating mechanism I am enabled to vary the time period during which both valves 21 and 34 are closed immediately following closing movements of valve 34, or conversely I may vary the time period during which both valves 21 and 34 are ke t closed immediately following closing of t e oil control valve 21. i

It is apparent from the above that my apparatus provides a wide latitude of control so that the apparatus may be properly operated to secure optimum pumping operation for a given oil well. I have found that positive control over the timing of the valve mechanism 13 is important and desirable, if the pumping effect of pneumatic pistons is to be employed to best advantage. The positive actuation from the surface of the well is a pending application Serial No. 207,099, filed July 20, 1927.

I claim:

1. In an oil well pump, oil and gas pipes extending into the well below the normal oil level, a valve controlling flow of oil from the well into said pipes, another valve within the well controlling admission of gas from said gas pipe into the lower portion of the oil pipe, and means for alternately opening and closing said valves, said means provid-' ing a substantial time period during which both of said valves are in closed condition.

2. In an oil well pump, oil and gas pipes extending into the well below the normal oil level, a valve controlling flow of oil from the well into said pipes, another valve within the well controlling admission of gas from said gas pipe into the lower portion of the oil pipe, means positively connected to said valves and actuated from the surface of the well for alternately opening and closing said valves, said means providing a time period of substantial length during which both said valves are in closed condition.

3. In an oil well pump, oil and gas pipes extending into the well below the normal oil level, a valve controlling flow of oil from the well into said pipes, another valve within the well controlling admission of gas from said gas pipeinto the lower portion of the oil pipe, mechanical means for controlling alternate opening and closing of said valves,

and means for adjusting the ratio between the time periods said respective valves are open.

4. In an oil well pump, oil and gas pipes extending into the well below the normal oil level, a valve controlling flow of oil from the well into said pipes, another valve within the well controlling admission of gas from said gas pipe into the lower portion of the oil pipe, mechanical means for controlling alternate opening and closing of said valves, and means for adjusting the ratio between the time periods during which respective valves are in closed condition.

5. In an oil well pump, oil and gas pipes extendinginto the well below the normaloil level, a valve controlling flow of oil from the well into said pipes, another valve within the well controlling admission of gas from said gas pipe into the lower portion of the oil pipe, mechanical means for controlling alternate opening and closing of said valves, and means for adjusting the ratio between time periods that both said valves are closed during one complete cyclic movement.

6. Pumping apparatus of the class described adapted to be used in conjunction with an oil well comprising a source of gas under pressure located at the surface of the oil well, means extending into the oil well including a member adapted to be cyclically actuated for controlling admission of gas to the well to eflefi pumping of oil, and a hydraulically operated piston for cyclically actuating said member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand. HAROLD F. WATKINS.

7. Pumping apparatus of the class described adapted to be used in conjunction with an oil well comprising a source of gas under pressure located at the surface of the oil well, means extending into the well including a member adapted to be cyclically actuated for controlling admission of as into the well to efiect pumping of oil, a ydraulically operated piston for cyclically actuating said member, and means for adjusting the rate of movement of said piston.

8. Pumping apparatus of the class described adapted to be used in conjunction 

